The Fourth Industrial Revolution taking place this century involves cutting-edge technologies such as quantum computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine interfaces, and more. It is unfolding at precisely the same time as the greater multipolarisation of the international system. To be clear, this is correlation, not causation. However, the race to develop and adopt these advanced technologies is hugely significant for the prospects of middle powers to achieve strategic autonomy. Conversely, losing out in the great technology race or becoming overly dependent on the United States (US) or China could hamper their growth. Kai Fu Lee, in his book AI Superpowers (2018) states that while some countries may become advanced technology hubs and providers of vital information and data flows to others, those at the periphery of these data flows risk becoming dependent on the hub-providers, creating new technology hierarchies. For middle powers, this is extraordinarily important. What use is there in increasing your strategic autonomy in terms of hard and soft power when nations remain dependent on the goodwill and continued commercial interest of more advanced technology providers?
Strategic autonomy in the digital age: Can middle powers lead?
